We’re going to assume that Google is aiming to phase out Hangouts in the near future as the company has debut a brand new AI-based chat app and a HD video calling app.
First off, the AI-based chat app. Called Allo, this smart messaging app will feature machine learning as well as Google Assistant. Much like other messaging apps, Allo users can find people to chat with based on their phone numbers, as well as Google accounts for services like Gmail.
While the app itself functions much like other chat apps such as WhatsApp, Allo will come with features that would make them look primitive. For one, Allo’s machine learning means that Google is able to implement a feature called Smart Reply. Similar to the one found in Inbox, Smart Reply will suggest responses to you for conversations, allowing you to chat without actually needing to type out a sentence. Thanks to machine learning, Smart Reply will ‘learn’ from your replies to provide you with relevant suggestions.
Not everything is AI-centric on Allo though as the chat app will come with what is called the “whisper shout” mode. Designed to be an alternative to Caps Lock, this feature will allow you to enlarge or shrink text, which mimics either shouting or whispering. Incognito mode will also be available on Allo, causing chats to be encrypted end-to-end with discreet notifications.
Next up, the HD video calling app. Titled Duo, this HD video calling app is meant for one-on-one conversation. One of the features that Duo will have is something called “Knock Knock”, a feature that gives users a real time image of the person calling you prior to the call being connected. Google has also boasted that Duo will run smoothly regardless of your connection quality. Much like Allo, Duo will come with end-to-end encryption.
Both apps will be coming to iOS and Android this coming Summer.